($1,234) Movers From Phoenix, AZ to San Diego, CA

What to know before moving from Phoenix to San Diego

Moving from Phoenix to San Diego comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Diego is generally more expensive than Phoenix, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in San Diego are 70% higher than in Phoenix, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Phoenix.
  Home prices in San Diego are 144.1% higher than in Phoenix.
• Income in San Diego is 13.0% higher than in Phoenix, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in San Diego include United States Navy, University of California, San Diego, and Sharp HealthCare.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Diego, since the cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 41.2% higher than in Phoenix. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to San Diego, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 47.7% higher than in Phoenix.
• The unemployment rate in San Diego and Phoenix.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in San Diego, since the city’s sales taxes in San Diego are 9.88% lower than in Phoenix.
• State income taxes in San Diego are 432.00% higher than in Phoenix.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,237.23 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Phoenix.

How life is different in Phoenix vs. San Diego

• San Diego might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 14% less than Phoenix.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in San Diego will be about the same as it currently is in Phoenix. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in San Diego means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Phoenix. San Diego is considered more walkable than Phoenix, with a score of 53 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in Phoenix. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in San Diego, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Phoenix. While Phoenix has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, San Diego earned a 43. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• San Diego has a lower crime rate than Phoenix based on scores of 39.83 and Phoenix's 53.06, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in San Diego than in Phoenix, based on San Diego’s safety index of 60.17 versus 46.94 for Phoenix. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in San Diego and Phoenix is generally the same (Moderate). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Phoenix vs. San Diego move

• Weather: San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to San Diego. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Diego

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Finest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Diego.

Helpful moving resources